New Bedford High School teacher will not be disciplined

School officials have decided not to discipline a teacher who they say failed to properly report a chair-throwing incident at the high school last month.

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By CAROL KOZMA

southcoasttoday.com

By CAROL KOZMA

Posted Apr. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 18, 2014 at 6:03 AM

By CAROL KOZMA

Posted Apr. 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 18, 2014 at 6:03 AM

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — School officials have decided not to discipline a teacher who they say failed to properly report a chair-throwing incident at the high school last month.

"Based upon the review of the facts, except for the fact that the incident should have been reported in a more timely manner, the matter was handled reasonably under the circumstances and no disciplinary action was applied to the teacher," Superintendent Pia Durkin said in a statement released after Thursday's administrative hearing.

"However, this incident has led to the conclusion that increased communication and high school policies, practices, and procedures need to be reviewed with all staff as well as additional support be provided in dealing with such situations," Durkin said.

The teacher, Joanne Maura, left the high school after the hearing without talking to reporters.

New Bedford Education Association President Louis St. John said Maura was relieved by the decision. "She feels that this has been like a dark cloud over her," he said.

Reached later, Mayor Jon Mitchell said it was "entirely appropriate" for the school to investigate the matter.

"It would have been irresponsible ... not to make a serious investigation," Mitchell said.

But he also made it clear that "No teacher should have to endure the level of disrespect displayed."

While a new headmaster and two principals are coming to the school next year, Mitchell said "the work has to begin now to restore the public confidence in the high school."

On March 24, Kemar Roselus, an 18-year-old student in Maura's class, threw a chair at her desk when she refused to return his cellphone in an incident that was video-recorded. Roselus has been charged by police with assault by means of a dangerous weapon to a person over 60, disturbing the school, and malicious destruction of personal property, police said. He also has been expelled from school.

A letter informing Maura of the investigation said she could be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, because she had failed to properly report the incident to the administration.

St. John said after sitting with the administration and going over the facts, it was found she had notified the administration.

He said pressure from the City Council, which had unanimously opposed disciplining the teacher, and from the public "had something to do with the outcome."

School Committee member Lawrence Finnerty said he believed the decision to let the teacher know she may be disciplined and/or terminated was added on the advice of an attorney.

"Often these investigatory meetings "» do not result in discipline but in case they do"» the attorney has that tag line there," he said.

School Committee member Jack Livramento said before the meeting he hoped the administration would learn from the meeting.

"I hope we go through the process ... of finding out exactly what occurred," he said, and finding out whether "there are some policies that are lacking in our schools."

He said the School Committee and the superintendent can then sit down to "prevent that type of activity from happening."

In her statement, Durkin said: "As a community and as a school, we must use this incident as a 'learning moment' when all of us — students, parents, teachers, administrators — collectively step forward to reaffirm our goals and our vision for New Bedford High School. We must work together to build a place for our children where learning is the number one priority and anything that distracts us from that objective has no place."

This story was modified on Friday, April 18, 2014, to reflect the following:

The new positions being filled at New Bedford High School next year were incorrect in a story about Thursday's administrative hearing involving a teacher at the school. The school will bring in a new headmaster and two principals next year.